Peyton Manning said goodbye to the game he loved this afternoon as he walks off into the sunset as the defending Super Bowl champion.
During retirement speech, Manning showed respect to many of the great players he played with and against throughout his career. Former Eagle and Denver Broncos safety Brian Dawkins was among them. Everybody respects Weapon X.
In a list of great coaches, legendary Eagles defensive mind Jim Johnson received a shoutout as well.
"[I’m going to miss] My battles with players named Lynch, Lewis, Thomas, Bruschi, Fletcher, Dawkins, Seau, Urlacher, Polamalu, Harrison, Woodson, and Reed," Manning said. "And with coaches like Fisher, Ryan, Belichick, Kiffin, Phillips, Rivera, LeBeau, Crennel, Capers, Lewis, the late Jim Johnson and so many more.”
It was a pretty good speech in all, even if he did quote Forrest Gump.
You can watch the Eagles-related parts of it above.
Jeffrey Lurie issued a statement on Manning's retirement today as well:
NFL
"It's been an honor and a privilege to watch Peyton play and compete. He made every one of us that is a part of the NFL proud to be connected to the sport. His accomplishments and legacy have left our league a better place than the one he found 18 years ago.”